Saturday, March 31, 2012

In this time span we have moved across the country and back again, weathered the loss of old, dearly loved, pets and the gathering of new, dearly loved ones. We have bought and paid for our piece of property, named Shangri La Ti Da, and built the shell of our new home. We have worked and retired and worked again....but most of all we have loved steady and sure and strong.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

So, even though it is still March and I have had to give up all hope of snow and put away the winter clothes and my sweet new snow boots....I have to admit to enjoying the changing of the seasons...as I always do.

If you remember, back in the fall, Stevie and I planted LOTS of bulbs for just this time. If you don't remember, you can go here and read all about that adventure:
http://donna-homebuildingcountdown.blogspot.com/2011/11/spring.html
(I don't know why it didn't turn blue)

Here are the fruits, or flowers, of our labors!

I didn't plant forsythia at Shangri La Ti Da yet...but I want to.

This one is Colt's Foot. Does it grow where you live? It is usually the

very first flower to show its happy color.

And everyone's favorite 'weed'.

Couldn't ignore these lovely purples....

Last, but not least, is this tree...a tamarak? I think that is what it is called. It looks like an evergreen all summer and then looses all its 'needles' for the winter. They are just now coming back.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Spent Friday evening and Saturday with my dad again.
As we were sitting after eating some soup that we made together, I realized that this time with my dad is when I am the least selfish.
I know I am a selfish person...working on it, but still not there, except, it seems, when I am at dad's.

When I am there I don't have any plans. I don't care what we watch on TV. I don't care how many times he tells me the same thing. I don't try to organize things or be in charge in anyway.

I am there.
I sit with him.
I listen if he wants to talk.

This time he told me a sweet story of the day I was born. He was still in college and had a speech to give in class that exact day.
He was at the hospital, got to say hello to me and then raced back to class. When the professor was explaining about who would be giving their speeches when, he finished by saying, that is how it was going to be unless someone had a VERY good reason for it to be different. Dad said he figured he should give it a shot, so he explained that his little girl had just been born and he wanted to get back to the hospital. The professor decided that was a VERY good reason. Dad went first and came back to hold me.

Self-less-ness.
It didn't even hurt.
My heart was full.

And I can't imagine doing any of this without my hero of a husband there beside me.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

My sweet friend, Kristen, writes books! I know, right? How cool is it to have a friend who writes books? A little bit intimidating when you are communicating with her in a written format, but she is still and always very sweet. The good news is that she has a brand new ebook out, which I just read and LOVED! But, she is doing a giveaway and I want one of this hardback books....signed by her, in my library of real books...so, go now and read this. Please.

A Peek...

I believe that God is a creator God and that because I am created in His image, I am also a creator. I am about to embark on a MAJOR creative endeavor-homebuilding! Me, my little husband, 1 big dog and 3 cats.
I am looking forward to joy in the journey...come and join me!